What are Johnson City Public Records?
The Tennessee Open Records Act defines public records as information generated, received, or maintained by government agencies while performing official business. Johnson City Public records may include maps, photographs, written or typed documents, papers, letters, video and audio recordings, electronic data maintained by the city's agencies. However, not all government records are public information. Some may have parts redacted or may be sealed by a court order or by law. Examples of government records that could be exempted from public records include the following:
- Records of students in public institutions, including academic performance, the financial status of their parents or guardians, and medical or psychological treatment or testing results.
- The medical records of patients or anyone receiving treatment in a state, county, or municipal hospital.
- Communications made to or by the Attorney General and their subordinates or any information that also falls under the Attorney-Client relationship.
- Records, documents, and papers such as personnel records, studies, and investigations in possession of the military department that could affect the security of Tennessee or the US.
- Government agency records that contain information about the value of personal or real estate property being obtained for public purposes. These records remain exempt from public view until the purchase is completed.
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant.
Note: Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Johnson City Crime Statistics
Collecting and compiling crime statistics is the responsibility of the Johnson City Police Department. These statistics are usually passed on to the FBI to be added to the nationwide Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) database. According to the data for 2018 and 2019, cases of property crime, larceny, and vehicle theft decreased by 8.8%, 11.5%, and 2.1%, respectively. On the other hand, rape, assault, arson, and burglary increased by 16.6%, 3.8%, 14.3%, and 3.8% respectively. Cases of murder and robbery remained unchanged at 1 case and 38 cases respective while overall cases of violent crime increased by 4.4%.
Are Johnson City's Criminal Records Public?
According to the Tennessee Open Records Act, not every criminal record is public information. Sometimes a record may be sealed by a court or exempt by law. These types of criminal records will be restricted from public access. Individuals or organizations may request criminal background checks and records from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation(TBI). These records can be obtained by contacting the TBI by mail or online. The TBI offers name-based records checks which are requested by mailing the subjects name and the requesters details to the TBI at:
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS)
901. R.S. Gass Blvd,
Nashville, TN 37216
Requests can be made online using the facilities on the Tennessee Open Records Information Services(TORIS) web portal. Record seekers are required to register an account on the website by filling in their information in the online requester information form. After completing registration, requesters can perform name-based criminal record checks using the TORIS website.
Criminal record checks cost a non-refundable search fee of $29 per name search. Payments are made by mailing a check or money order for the correct amount with the request, or by using a credit card on the TORIS website.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Copies of police reports and other law enforcement records in the custody of the Johnson City Police Department can be obtained using the Public Records Request Form. Residents are required to read the instructions on the form carefully before filling and signing the form. The form can be submitted in the following ways:
- The completed and signed form can be emailed to publicrecords@johnsoncitytn.org
- The form can be faxed to (423) 434-6087
- The form can be hand-delivered to the collections division of the Financial Department at 601 East Main Street, Johnson City, Tennessee.
When the form is submitted, the requester will be provided with an estimate of the cost for any copies required including any labor costs. On acceptance of the cost, the request will be processed and payment will be required at the time that the copies are provided.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Johnson City
Sex offender information for residents of Johnson City can be located by contacting the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry operated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The information can be obtained by calling the department or using the online registry. The online registry contains the sex offender database for Tennessee and contains search tools people can use to obtain sex offender information. Sex offender information can be searched using different criteria such as names, addresses, counties, classifications, and offender status. Record seekers may also email the registry with any inquiries at tbisormgr@tn.gov.
How to Find Johnson City Inmate Records
Inmate records for Johnson City can be found by contacting the Johnson City Detention Facility. Requesters may call the detention facility directly at (423) 434-6144 or email them at aclark@johnsoncitytn.org. Inmate information can also be obtained online using the Felony Offender Information Lookup search tools. This search tool looks through the information available on the Tennessee Department of Corrections(TDOC) which has been provided by the different jurisdictions within Tennessee. The search can be made using different parameters such as name, state identification number, race, and the TDOC identification number. Results from the search will include the individual's location, current status, mugshot, and any active sentences.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Johnson City Jail?
Inmates arrested in Johnson City are housed in the Johnson City Detention Facility. Inmate visitations take place at:
Fairmont (old gym)
1405 Lester Harris Road
Johnson City, TN
All visitors are required to fill out a visitation form and submit it to the detention facility. Visitors must include a recent passport picture and a copy of photo identification such as a driver's license with the form. The completed application form and other items should be mailed to the:
Facility Superintendent
Johnson City Detention Facility
601 East Main St.,
Johnson City, TN 37601
Visits are scheduled on Sundays from 12:30 p.m to 2:30 p.m., and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. further information on visitation can be obtained by calling the facility superintendent.
What are Johnson City Vital Records?
Johnson City's vital records are the documents that detail life events that have occurred within the city. These records, which are usually recorded by the city's agencies, include marriage certificates, divorce decrees, birth certificates, and death certificates. Individuals may obtain some of these records from their custodians in Washington County. These records can also be obtained from the Vital Records Office of the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee State Library and Archives at the state level.
Where and How to Obtain Johnson City Divorce Records
Johnson City divorce records can be obtained from different custodians depending on the age of the record. Any divorce record which is less than 50 years old can only be obtained from the Vital Records Office of the Tennessee Department of Health. The record can be obtained by submitting an application for a certified divorce or annulment certificate by mail or in-person to the office at:
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
In-person requests are made by submitting the completed form, showing a valid picture ID, and paying the required fees at the customer service desk. Requests by mail involve mailing the application form, a copy of the current picture ID, and the fees to the following address:
Tennessee Vital Records
Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Requests for divorce records can be made by submitting a written request containing the following information:
- The names of the parties to the divorce
- The date of the divorce or a five-year range
- The county where the divorce was heard
Identification included in the mailed request must be from the list of required identification, or the application must be notarized if requesting a certified copy of the record. The fee for a divorce record from the Tennessee vital records office is $15 for each copy. Payment can be made using cash, credit, and debit cards during in-person requests at the customer service window. Checks and money orders for the exact fee made payable to Tennessee Vital Records should be included in mailed requests. Divorce records that are over 50 years old are considered public records and can be requested by any person at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Johnson City
Marriage records can be ordered by any member of the public from the Tennessee State Library and Archives if they are over 50 years old. If the record is under 50 years old a certified copy may only be requested from the Vital Records Office of the Tennessee Department of Health. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained by submitting a completed and signed Application for a Certified Marriage Certificate to the office at:
Tennessee Vital Records
Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
The form can be submitted to the above address in person or by mail. Applications can be submitted at the vital records office customer service desk during office hours. A requester will be required to also present a valid picture ID with the filled application and the fees. For mailed requests, the request must include a copy of valid picture identification or acceptable documentation from the required identification list when requesting certified copies.
If such identification or documentation is unavailable, the requester must have the application form notarized. Copies of certified marriage certificates will cost the requester a non-refundable fee of $15 per copy. Fees are accepted in cash or credit and debit cards during in-person requests while checks and money orders for the fee can be added to mailed requests. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Tennessee Vital Records. Requests made at the customer service area are usually completed on the same day, while mailed requests will usually be completed in around a week. For any inquiries or questions, requesters may call vital records at (615) 741-1763.
Where and How to Find Johnson City Birth Records
Birth certificates for a birth that occurred in Johnson City can be obtained from several different custodians. These include the Washington County Health Department, the Tennessee Vital Records Office, Tennessee State Archive. Birth records in Tennessee only become public information 100 years after the birth. Until 100 years have passed, only a few authorized persons may be given access to certified copies of the marriage record. These persons include the following:
- The registrant who is named on the record. (if they're now 18 years old or over)
- The parents of the registrant named on the record
- The legal guardian or custodian of the registrant
- A legal representative of any of the above-listed persons such as an attorney
When a record becomes 100 years old, it can be accessed by any member of the public who follows procedures from the Tennessee State Library and Archive(TSLA). Copies of Birth records under 100 years old can also be requested from the Johnson City Branch of the Washington County Health Department.
Obtaining Copies of Johnson City Birth Certificates
Birth records under 100 years old can be obtained from the Vital Records Office of the Tennessee Department of Health. Requesters will be required to fill out, sign and submit an application for a certified birth certificate to the vital records office at:
Tennessee Vital Records
Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Birth records can also be requested by submitting the following information in a written request:
- Name of the child on the record
- Date of birth or approximate date of birth
- Names of the parents at the time of birth, including any maiden names
- Location of the birth, including the county
This information can be delivered to the vital records office by mail or in person. In-person requests at the vital records office are made at the customer service window. The requestor will be required to pay the fees and present valid picture identification to obtain the records. For mailed requests, the request must include payment and a copy of valid picture identification for mailed requests. If requesting a certified record, a mailed request must include documentation from the required identification list. if identification cannot be provided, the applicant must have their application form notarized by a notary public. Requesters can pick up their record at the customer service area same-day if they request in person, while mailed requests will usually take a week.
The Johnson City Branch of the Washington County Health Department also offers walk-in birth certificate orders during their office hours at:
219 Princeton Road
Johnson City, TN 37659
Birth certificates from the county health department and state vital records office cost a fee of $15 per copy. The first payment is a non-refundable search fee which includes one certified copy of the record if it is available. Extra copies ordered at the same time will cost $15 each. Payment is accepted by check or money order during mailed requests and cash, credit, or debit card during in-person requests.
If a birth record is over 100 years old, it can be ordered by any member of the public from the TSLA. The State Library and Archive provides instructions to order birth records in the Ordering from the TSLA section of their website. Birth Records from the TSLA cost $5 per copy for Tennessee residents and $10 per copy for out-of-state requests. Certificates requested by mail can be certified by paying an extra $5 per record.
Where and How to Find Johnson City Death Record
Death records for Johnson City can be requested from either the Tennessee Vital Records Office or the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA). Some death records may be restricted. Until the death record becomes 50 years old it can only be requested by certain eligible persons from the vital records office. These eligible persons include the following:
- The parents or legal guardians of the deceased
- The spouse of the deceased
- Children of the deceased
- A legal representative or agency representing the deceased's estate or any of the above named eligible persons
When the record becomes 50 years old, it can be requested by any member of the public who follows procedure at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
To request a death certificate from the Tennessee Vital Records Office a requester must download and fill out the Death Certificate Application Form. The completed form, valid picture identification, and the fees can be mailed to the vital records office at:
Tennessee Vital Records
Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
If the requester is ordering a certified death certificate by mail they must also mail a copy of their valid picture identification with their application. If picture identification is unavailable the requester may send in documentation as instructed in the required identification list in its stead. Another alternative to picture identification is to have the entire application form notarized by a notary public.
In-person orders can be made at the customer service desk of the vital records office at the Andrew Johnson Tower. The applicant must submit the completed and signed form, show a valid picture ID such as a driver's license or passport, and pay the appropriate fees. The cost of a death record from Tennessee Vital Records is a non-refundable search fee of $15 which covers one certified copy of the record if available. Any additional copies ordered at the same time will cost $15 per copy as well. Payment is acceptable in cash, credit and debit cards, checks, and money orders. Cash and cards are only accepted during in-person requests at the customer service desk, while all checks and money orders should be payable to Tennessee Vital Records. The customer service desk will usually be able to issue the certificate that day but mailed requests take around one week.
For the death records over 50 years old, requesters may find instructions on how to obtain them in the ordering from the TSLA section of the agency website. As these records are now considered public information they can be obtained by any member of the public.
